OF SOUKHUAN AND LAOS Elena Gregoria Chai Chin Fern Faculty ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

people. Thus, soukhuan generally, and other ‘sub-types’ of the khuan ceremonies such as Wankhuan and Somkhuan play a significant role in Lao society. Nowadays, soukhuan has been identified with the Lao people. When the Lao government adopted an open door policy in the late 1980’s, financial aid began to flow in, providing much needed assistance to this undeveloped South East Asian country. With the anticipated economic boom, the richer and more developed neighbouring countries entered the Laos market to tap its economic resources. More and more people are flocking into Laos. The tourism industry has been enjoying a huge influx of tourists, although Laos has often been labeled as the forgotten country in Asia. It was in such a context that the communist government realized that there is a need for a distinctive Lao identity. Although Theravada Buddhism is widely practiced in Laos, its neighbour Thailand, has a stronger identity associated with Buddhism which enjoys royal patronage. In Thailand, the king is the protector of the religion. Unfortunately, the last Lao king was said to have died in the re-education camp. In Laos, many homes display the portrait of the Thai royal couple alongside their very own President and Prime Minister. This indicates the high esteem that the Lao people have for the Thai monarch. The Laos government is trying to instill a sense of Laoness among its people through the revival of traditional customs. The belief in khuan pre-dated Buddhism and is therefore useful for such purposes. Even under the great suppression of the communist government, Lao peasants continue to uphold the soukhuan ceremony. What was once labeled as a superstitious belief by the communist government has now found a commendable place in official occasions, such as welcoming foreign ambassadors and bidding farewell to foreign expatriates. Anyone can participate in the ceremony as it is most commonly explained as a ceremony which is a mixture of animistic, Brahmanistic and Buddhist elements. As it can be participated by people of other religious faith, it serves as a good unifying. Thus, an aged old tradition has been resurrected for a new purpose in shaping a Lao national identity. - 22 - PDF Creator - PDF4Free v2.0 http://www.pdf4free.com
Acknowledgements I have been blessed with kind people who render me help and advice unconditionally at all times. I would like to take this opportunity to thank, namely; my husband, Jason Hon for putting up with my bad temper and selfish demands, my parents for believing in me and my supervisor, Professor Uchibori Motomitsu for all his encouragement and guidance. Associate Professor Dr Hew Cheng Sim has given me many opportunities and lastly I would like to thank Miss Haslina Hashim for being a wonderful colleague and friend. - 23 - PDF Creator - PDF4Free v2.0 http://www.pdf4free.com
Page 1 and 2: OF SOUKHUAN AND LAOS Elena Gregoria
Page 3 and 4: Spiritual beings are held to affect
Page 5 and 6: ecome a dominant aspect of their mu
Page 7 and 8: The khuan The belief in khuan has l
Page 9 and 10: 11) hua chai - heart 12) tap - live
Page 11 and 12: Soukhuan is mainly performed by the
Page 13 and 14: The smoldering wood was waved in a
Page 15 and 16: When there is a lightning in the sk
Page 17 and 18: should conduct herself in the prese
Page 19 and 20: Please come back to see your belove
Page 21: The Mor Phon gave moral instruction
Page 25: Tambiah, Stanley J. 1970. Buddhism

OF SOUKHUAN AND LAOS Elena Gregoria Chai Chin Fern Faculty ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?